Moving out of a flat share in Germany: the checklist

Notice and deadlines

Check your contract first. For an open-ended tenancy, the notice period (Kündigungsfrist) for tenants is usually three months. For a furnished room in the main tenant’s flat, shorter periods can apply. Examples with dates and a model letter are in giving notice on a room. Give notice in writing and tell the flat share as early as possible, even if formally you still have time. The others need weeks to find someone.

Finding a replacement tenant

Often the flat share looks for a successor together with you. Whether the new person takes over your contract or gets their own is for the landlord or the Hauptmieter (main tenant) to decide. There is no general right to leave the contract earlier through a replacement tenant (Nachmieter), but many landlords agree. Help with the advert and the casting, because you know the room best.

Money: open amounts and the deposit

Settle all open amounts before you leave, while everyone is still reachable. In the ManaWG shared expenses you see your balance and the suggested transfers. When the balance is at zero, everything is done. Also clarify what happens to shared purchases: does the vacuum cleaner stay in the flat, and do the others pay your share? You get the Kaution (deposit) back from the landlord or the main tenant. The check can take a few months, especially if the annual utilities statement (Nebenkostenabrechnung, see utilities in a flat share) is still to come.

Contracts and authorities

If the internet contract, the electricity contract or the Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee) is in your name, someone from the flat share has to take over or the contract has to be changed. Agree that early. In Germany you register at your new address within two weeks (Anmeldung). You only need to deregister yourself if you move abroad or do not take a new home in Germany. Also think of a mail redirection (Nachsendeauftrag) with the postal service.

Subletting instead of moving out

If you are only away for a semester abroad or an internship, you do not have to move out. With the permission of the landlord or main tenant, you can sublet the room for that time. Agree in writing beforehand the period, rent, utilities and what happens to your furniture. For the flat share’s accounts, the subtenant counts as a flatmate during this time.

Handover

Clear the room and your shelves in the kitchen and bathroom completely. Repaint the room if the contract requires it. Do a handover with photos and return all keys. Do your last round on the cleaning rota before you go. In ManaWG, you leave the flat yourself at the end under Settings → Access → Leave flat.

The checklist to tick off

1. Check the contract and give notice in writing in time
2. Tell the flat share early and help look for a replacement tenant
3. Switch electricity, internet and Rundfunkbeitrag if they are in your name
4. Settle open amounts until the balance is at zero
5. Split shared purchases or have them paid out
6. Agree what happens with the next utilities statement
7. Clear the room, hand over with photos, return the keys
8. Register at your new address within two weeks, set up mail redirection